I recently bought my friends dads SUV a 2013 Buick Enclave with 136,??? miles. He died with Covid-19. They sold it to me at a real good price. I know he put a alternator on it and he replaced the battery. He drove it two years. It started running bad and threw a code (Misfire 3 cylinder) My friends mechanic replaced a coil and the spark plugs. The plugs showed black tips some were grayish. Should I go ahead and replace all the coils? I use only real gas no Ethanol. The mechanic said these vehicles are prone to tear up and if it gives me anymore trouble sale it. He charged me a $100 to change coil and plugs. Should I sale? I’m not someone that can afford a lot of break downs at all. I’m disabled at 58 very limited funds. If you recommend sale what vehicle would you buy? This Buick is a nice vehicle but can I afford to keep it?
Your mechanic i right, they aren't very reliable, especially with 136 k miles. But now is a particularly bad time to be buying economical transportation. If it was me, I'd drive it gently and maintain it for another year or so until things settle down in the auto business.
Okay will do…but should I go ahead and replace the rest of the coils?